Patient Perceptions of Athletic Trainers and Orthopaedic Medical Residents as Primary Clinical Support Staff in Sports Medicine Practice: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Prospective Survey.

BACKGROUND Orthopaedic sports medicine practices utilize a variety of healthcare professionals to assist physicians in the clinic. The purpose of this study was to investigate patients' perception of orthopaedic knowledge and clinical care provided by orthopaedic medical residents and athletic trainers (ATs). HYPOTHESIS ATs will be perceived similarly to orthopaedic medical residents in overall patient care and perceived education level. STUDY DESIGN Randomized, double-blind survey. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2. METHODS New patients were randomly selected to receive the survey to complete during an office visit. The survey included 8 questions which rated the patient's perceived level of orthopaedic knowledge and level of patient care provided by the AT and orthopaedic medical residents. A total of 110 surveys were collected during the 2-year study period. The data were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). RESULTS The multivariate effect (Pillai's trace) was not significant between clinicians, F(8,111)=0.122, p=0.695, partial η2=0.106. Univariate tests showed a significance between patient perceived level of clinician education, F(1,118)=5.361, p=0.632, partial η2=0.043. Univariate test showed no significant differences on any other dependent variables. CONCLUSION There is no evidence that patients' perception is different when comparing ATs and orthopaedic medical residents in orthopaedic knowledge and clinical care. Although a statistically significant difference was found in the perceived highest level of education attained, orthopaedic medical residents and ATs were each perceived to have a master's degree level of education. Physicians should continue to use ATs in their practices.